Best Circular Saw Blades of 2020

Most circular saw blades come in 8, 10 or 12-inch sizes. By far, the latter two are the most common, but mini circular saws are growing in popularity, and so too are smaller blades. Some measure a mere 4.5 inches.

The type of saw you own is crucial when it comes to matching up the replacement blade. Make sure the arbor fits the shaft of the saw. If you have a mismatched blade and saw, it could cause the tipping of the saw.

The number of teeth on a circular saw blade determines its use. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the tooth count per inch, the smoother the cut. It means that saws with a high TPI are suited to cutting materials like sheet metal and hardwood.

If the tooth count is lower, it indicates that the blade copes better with softer materials where the quality of the cut is less precise.

How Many Teeth Do I Need on My Circular Saw Blade?

The easy way to answer that question is to ask what material you intend to work with. If you are going with softwood and similar stock, fewer teeth are better. Harder materials need more teeth.

Here’s a handy chart:

Kerf refers to the width of the cut, which relates directly to the thickness of the cutting edge. A full kerf has an edge measuring 0.125 inches, while a thin kerf is 0.094 inches.

Full kerfs are more durable and better suited to cutting tougher material. However, a blade with a full kerf puts more strain on the saw motor. If the motor is underpowered, you run the risk of wearing out your saw.

A thin kerf suits finer detail work and creates less wastage. They also require less power as they put less strain on the motor. The downside is that these blades are prone to suffering greater damage as they are less durable.

Many popular brands like Freud and Bosch coat their blades in a special non-stick solution. It helps the blade slice through the material and reduces binding, which, in turn, reduces kickback.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel caters to soft materials and plastics. They are the cheapest blades you can buy because carbon steel blades dull quickly due to their soft teeth. So, don’t expect them to stand up to the rigors of frequent use. There is an upside, in that carbon steel is flexible, so these blades are less likely to snap.

High-Speed Steel (HSS)

Compared to carbon steel blades, high-speed steel is super-durable. These blades retain their cutting edge better and perform at higher temperatures, meaning they are less likely to dull.

Typically, these blades can withstand heat up to 600 degrees centigrade and score between 62 and 66 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale. Because they run at higher speeds, HSS blades will cut through MDF and hardwood with ease.

Cobalt Steel Blades

Cobalt steel is an alloy containing between 5 and 8 percent cobalt. It makes them robust and able to withstand even more punishment than the HSS blades. Cobalt steel blades also stand up to higher temperatures, making them hard-wearing and resistant to dulling. These blades outlast high-speed steel blades and wipe the floor with carbon steel blades.

The only downside is that they are brittle and prone to snapping.

Carbide-Tipped Blades

Carbide-tipped blades are more expensive than the others because they are incredibly robust. They typically score 65 to 80 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale, making them among the hardest wearing blades you can buy. They cut through sheet metal, aluminum and even steel.

Like cobalt steel, carbide-tipped blades can be brittle.

Carbon steel blades work better with softer material like softwood and lumber. You can get carbon steel blades that cut sheet metal and other non-ferrous metals, but the teeth are softer and dull very quickly.

Carbon steel blades are characterized by their lower teeth count, indicating that they are for softer workpieces.

Best For: Rip cuts, crosscuts, lumber, softwood, plastic, soft sheet metal.

High-speed steel and cobalt steel are super-durable. They cut through wood, steel, aluminum, plastics and composites like MDF. These blades handle heat better and are famed for their ability to maintain their cutting prowess.

High-speed and cobalt steel generally have a higher TPI and so cut through harder workpieces, leaving a neater line.

Best For: Crosscuts, hardwood, MDF, metal, plastic, smoother quality finishes.

Carbide-tipped blades are the most robust of the lot and are used to cut the hardest material, even concrete blocks. These teeth rarely need any attention, but when they do, no matter how often you sharpen them, they always come back to full sharpness.

Best For: Crosscuts, hardwood, plastic, metal, block concrete, smooth finishes.

Robert Bosch founded the “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering” in Stuttgart in Germany in 1886. By 1901, Bosch moved into automotive supplies and developed a reputation for innovation ⁽¹⁾.

Bosch is now an international manufacturer of tools and tool accessories and employs hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

Raymond DeWalt invented the radial arm saw to improve productivity in the sawmill, where he worked as the supervisor. That was in 1922, and since then, the company has grown into the powerhouse it is today ⁽²⁾.

DeWALT is recognized across the globe as an innovator of high-quality tools and accessories.

Founded in 1915, Makita started life as a motor sales, repair, and servicing company. By 1958, Makita had invented the first electric planer and shifted its manufacturing focus to power tools ⁽³⁾.

Today, Makita is a worldwide brand, famed for quality and reliability.

Irwin Tools was formed in 1885 by Charles Irwin, in Martinsville, Ohio. They patented the first Auger drill bit, and the rest is history. Fast forward to 1993, and Irwin Tools was acquired by the American Tool Company ⁽⁴⁾.

Irwin is still a leading light in the development of tool accessories.